Flight 1225 To Santa’s Workshop

Young patients from Cohen Children’s Medical Center used magic and the gift of imagination on December 3, to power a jet from LaGuardia Airport to the North Pole.

Shaking bells and shouting, “Merry Christmas”, the youngsters and their families powered U.S. Airways Flight 1225 to Santa’s Workshop, where they met with Santa and received holiday gifts.

Christmas lights were strung from overhead bins on the aircraft as a flight attendant told passengers, “The North Pole is reporting cold weather and snow.”

An attendant told children to close all window shades – a special request from Santa, who worries that someone will discover the location of his secret workshop.

When the plane landed a short while later, a DJ played Christmas tunes as the children walked to Santa’s Workshop, where they were greeted by Santa, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves.

“I think this is great for the kids,” parent Eric Tobias said. Tobias made the trip with his 12-year-old daughter Caran, who is being treated for leukemia at Cohen’s Medical Center. “It’s great to bring the families together and Caran is having the time of her life.”

The North Pole was actually a hanger at LaGuardia Airport. Volunteer employees of U.S. Airways hosted the airlines’ 15th annual “Fantasy Flight” to the North Pole.

The airline hosted a second flight from JFK International Airport on December 6 for patients at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, a part of the North Shore/Long Island Jewish Health System and LIJ Medical Center.